Detroit Free Press Staff Writers

Related Links

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan / Ryan Garza / Detroit Free Press

More

ADVERTISEMENT

The death of Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. on Sunday had many in the business and political arenas reflecting on his and the Ford family’s contributions to the state and the city of Detroit.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said that Ford the businessman had great support for the city over the years.

“I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of William Clay Ford Sr.,” Duggan said. “Not only was Mr. Ford a titan in our business community, he has been one of Detroit’s greatest supporters and philanthropists.”

“His commitment to the city was never more evident than it was with his decision to move the Detroit Lions back downtown to the stadium that bears his family’s name. That vote of confidence in Detroit was an important piece of the redevelopment of downtown that has since taken place,” Duggan said in a prepared statement.

Others seem to echo the sentiment that without the Lions’ and Ford’s commitment to downtown, the resurgence of the business district may not have happened.

Ford moved the Lions to Ford Field in 2002 after spending 20 years playing at the Pontiac Silverdome. Taxpayers footed about half of the cost to build the $500-million stadium while the Lions paid for the other half.

Ford is credited for also helping bring the 2006 Super Bowl to Ford Field, pumping millions into the local economy that year.

George Jackson, president and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., said Ford’s role in bringing the Lions back to Detroit to play in a new football stadium helped redevelop downtown.

“It definitely was a major building block for improving the quality of life for residents and visitors,” Jackson said. “It brings people to town.”

Jackson said Ford showed a commitment to funding the arts and other charitable causes.

“Obviously he was a pillar in the community, not only in terms of his leadership role with the Ford Motor Co. and the Lions, but also his role as a philanthropist,” Jackson said.

Matt Cullen, president and chief operating officer of Dan Gilbert’s Rock Ventures, said the Super Bowl showed the world Detroit could pull off such a large scale event. It gave the city confidence, he said.

“His role and the role of the Ford family and the Lions in bringing the Super Bowl here was a real sea change for us as a community,” Cullen said. “In many ways, it set us up for the success we have now.”

Gov. Rick Snyder also acknowledged Ford’s contributions to business and the state of Michigan.

“We are saddened to observe the loss of Mr. Ford. The Fords are among Michigan’s iconic founding families, and he was an innovator in the family tradition as well as a strong leader,” Snyder said.

“Like his grandfather, he was passionate about automobiles and the auto industry, the city of Detroit and his family. He embodied the resilience, ingenuity and leadership that brought Ford Motor Co. and Detroit great success, and sustained both through tough times.

“On behalf of Michiganders and our state, we honor his legacy and offer deepest condolences to his family,” Snyder said in prepared statement.

Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah called Ford an icon.

“He guided Ford into the modern era and laid the foundation that allowed the company to navigate the turbulence that threatened the entire domestic automotive industry in 2008-09,” Baruah said in a statement. “His legacy is forever cemented as a leader and community pillar who left an indelible impact on our great city and state. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Martha, and the rest of the Ford family.”

The rich legacy of the Ford family is evident in museums throughout the state, including at the Henry Ford, where Ford Sr. served for 63 years and was its largest donor.

At the time of his death, he was chair emeritus of the museum’s board of directors. In recent years, according to a statement from the museum, he often visited the museum — touring the archives, museum exhibitions and Greenfield Village.

“Mr. Ford recognized the national significance of the Henry Ford, its unparalleled collections and educational importance, and he was committed throughout his life to the ongoing health and vitality of the institution,” the statement read.

The museum hall was named the William Clay Ford Hall of American Innovation to recognize his contributions.

Ford was an avid tennis player in his youth, and was nationally ranked while a student at Yale University until he underwent two Achilles tendon surgeries. In 1997, after Ford provided a leadership gift to support a new tennis center at the University of Michigan, the center’s outdoor courts were named in his honor.

“He certainly understood how important first-rate facilities were,” said Judy Malcolm, senior director of executive communications in the office of university development. “Before we had that facility, we were not able to host major tournaments.”

Ford’s recognition at the university extended beyond the tennis courts.

Malcolm said Ford Motor — a generous donor to the university for years — created a professorship in his honor: the William Clay Ford Professorship of Manufacturing in the College of Engineering.